About this project

$72,749

pledged of $15,000 goal

436

backers

A superior brake rotor starting at 40 grams!

What is SiCCC?SiCCC, is a Silicon Carbide, Ceramic, and Carbon fiber braking material developed specifically for cycling. Our goal from the start was to create a more reliable, better wearing, lighter weight brake rotor. Silicon Carbide for friction, Ceramic for heat, and Carbon fiber for strength.

The SiCCC disc rotor braking surface provides a level of power and progressive feel that equals or surpasses the best conventional rotors. The progressive power is excellent; not much lever effort is required, and the response is quick but not over-the-bar grabby by any means.

The SiCCC disc rotor braking surface is a non-metallic composite and it is thermally inert, meaning it doesn’t expand and contract as all metal rotors do. There is no heat-induced stress distortion on the disc.

This performance is available instantly: no warm-up needed. Hot or cold. Wet or dry.

All of this and a serious weight reduction.This can translate into improved suspension performance due to less inertia and handling at speed by reducing gyroscopic effect. The average rider noticing this science at play is debated, the joy of a turkey-gobble free bike that is also lighter is undeniable.

How it works:Braking, in this case, is turning kinetic energy into heat. Bicycle disc brakes operate on a transfer film principle. Pad material is transferred to the braking surface of the rotor (which is the reason for a bedding in period).
This transfer results in both the friction and the lubrication to provide usable braking. The specific selection of materials determines the progression and wear of the rotor and pads.

Speaking of wear:Currently, it is easy to chew through the highest priced rotors on the market in a season. SiCCC rotors? Well, let's just say we will be in the pad business because these rotors are just too tough. The longevity of the rotor braking surface is down right astounding.

The two different options explained:The SiCCC material is expensive and it is challenging to work with. But for total weight reduction, no frills, no fasteners, just light and tough - a one piece rotor is the lightest we can make. That means it gets our soon to be coveted -SFL- designation. You will instantly know what that acronym stands for when you pick up a product bearing that trademark. Some of us will tolerate an extra gram or ten for a color keyed component or to save a buck. The carbon spider on the two piece rotor reduces manufacturing cost. The rivets add some weight, paint adds some too. A color matched spider on your favorite carbon bike? Yes, please. We know it's a hard choice. That's why we offered both, we couldn't bear to leave one on the shelf.

One more thing on colors, get us some feedback!:Turner orange, Ibis silver, Santa Cruz yellow, Yeti teal? Why don't you tab on over to Facebook and like us, then tag a picture of the bike you are going to bolt up these SiCCC rotors to. If you sign up for the 2 piece, we will collect your color choice when the options are photographed, post project funding.

Other things to note:Like all rotors, it is important to bed in the pads+ rotors. At least a few laps around the block in a controlled environment to accurately follow the bed in procedure in the video on our site and written instructions. New brakes, pads or drip something on the rotor? Remove, clean the rotor with acetone and start the bed-in over. Also, 200mm will come later in two piece and SFL. SFL first. There are no plans for two piece 140mm because of manufacturing efficiencies.

Rewards:

The SiCCC - SFL - one piece rotor will be delivered first. Special Kickstarter pricing.

A later delivery, but still the first to get the 2 piece SiCCC rotor. You choose your color later.

Get a run of custom carbon fiber business cards!

A note about the business cards.We needed a way to vet raw materials to make spiders for the two piece rotors. We were testing for processing and material properties. FEA is nice, but nothing beats hands on testing. Obviously, we have memorable business cards to hand out when introducing and discussing Kettle Cycles. And we knew we could do the thank you card as a reward. If anyone was ever looking a gift for that someone who has everything, carbon fiber business cards are a nifty idea. We will begin getting information when you sign up for the reward so we can execute upon successful funding.

Our Vision:

Kettle Cycles is taking advantage of emerging technologies in high end manufacturing to offer a new range in revolutionary, lightweight bicycle products.

We have re-invented how components are made and how they are designed from the top on down. People will see a whole new generation of products that will turn the concept of what cycling parts are worth on its head.

How are we able to do what other manufacturers think is still beyond the realm of possible?
We have filed intellectual property on innovative parts that weren’t even possible to make just a few short years ago.
We are product designers with decades of hands on manufacturing experience that know how to push limits.
We have already designed the first wave of state of the art products that will hit the market this coming year.
We have built relationships with the raw material suppliers who are integral in making these new parts.
We designed a cutting edge manufacturing process that makes it faster and more consistent than current methods.
We are even re-imagining the way distribution should work.

We have fresh, desirable, re-imagined cycling components lined up to not only generate demand but to sustain long term growth as we literally change the definition of what cycling parts can truly be.

Kettle Cycles will manufacture components not only in the US but right here in Illinois. Globally competitive. Made in the USA.

Thanks!

Thank you for checking out our kickstarter project. We are very excited about our SiCCC rotors and we hope this project is the jumping off point for a new adventure.

Riding session edits:

Risks and challenges

The challenge to make this a reality are a very large minimum buy in for one ingredient. That's why we are looking to kickstarter to get over the final hump.

We very much believe that kickstarting this one project will be the seed that grows Kettle Cycles into the company we envision it to be.

We have vast experience in bringing parts from concept to market. Art to part. Cycling is a new market for us. We do not (and planned accordingly) want to disappoint folks with delays and issues with our introduction to this community. We want to get the SFL (one piece) SiCCC rotors in the hands of Cyclocross racers for the season wraps and mountain bikers and road disc users who enjoy extended seasons. The two piece will come online when the SFL (one piece) commitments have been met.
We envisioned this, we designed it, developed the process, we made it, prints, logos, websites, wrote, filmed, edited, etc etc. We do. That is what sets us apart.

Manufacturing Plan:
1. Purchase raw materials.
2. Process raw materials into rotor.
3. Drive to Lapping specialist. (The only step we don't do in house)
4. Pick up rotors, package and ship.
In something of a (ideally) never ending canon style.

Of course a disaster like a fire in the building, a tornado or zombie outbreak could throw a wrench in delivery times. However, the core strength of this project is that we are not wiring money overseas and waiting, we are executing. We are not paying someone else to design tooling or details - we are nearly the entire chain from concept to shipping. We are doing what we vetted in the preceding prototype stages. Raw material lead-times and the actual manufacturing have been vetted, tested, planned and are awaiting execution. Awaiting a Kickstart.

FAQ

The SiCCC rotors will be produced as ISO 6 bolt only, for the foreseeable future. We have not researched nor contacted about licensing the center lock interface. Center-lock adaptors work well, that is how the rear on the white mojo has been setup. Thanks for the interest everyone!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Everything helps. For your $25 we will send a carbon fiber business card with the Kettle Cycles logo and "Kickstarter." stylized in the printing. These are not customized per donation. They will be sent by First Class mail. It's fantastic you are willing to chip in just to help us along and we appreciate it!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $155 or more
About $155

Two - 160mm SFL-SiCCC rotors. Shipped by Priority mail. *SFL rotor prices will be higher post kickstarter. Last 50 sets at this price. Post kickstarter price will be much more. If you are willing to wait and want the early bird price, this is your last chance.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,600 or more
About $1,600

1 run of 100 custom printed Carbon Fiber business cards. Business card printing in one color on carbon fiber business card. You will have to supply artwork for logos / special fonts. We will get the pad print plate made. We made the tool for ours, so we can print yours. Printing color: White, Blue or Red, pick one for the whole run.